To beating drums and chanting voices, about 300 anti-war protesters marched through Ottawa yesterday, calling for an end of the U.S. occupation of Iraq. The rally was one of many protests around the world on the third anniversary of the invasion. Protesters moved down Sussex Dr. from the National Gallery to the U.S. Embassy, chanting "Health care. Child care. Anything but warfare!" "It's about peace and about countries not going out aggressively and trying to subdue and dominate the world," said Jo Wood, a member of the anti-war group Nowar-Paix. The rally featured a cross-section of protesters, from young students, to seniors, to families and singles, and a diverse ethnic spectrum, all calling on the U.S. to pull out of the war-ravaged country, while asking the Canadian government to support war resisters from the U.S."I feel I am defending the (U.S.) Constitution by not committing war crimes, destroying a country, and killing innocent civilians," said Ryan Johnson, a war resister who applied for refugee status in Canada. With his wife by his side, both holding a "War Resisters Welcome Here" placard, the 22-year-old explained that he comes from a middle-income family in Visalia, Calif. ATTACK OF CONSCIENCE

Johnson joined the U.S. military in November 2003, to get a steady job, medical coverage and a door to college. Instead, he found his conscience challenged by the invasion and war in Iraq that led him to leave the U.S. military. Johnson's had his refugee status hearing and is awaiting a decision while living in Toronto. Protesters at yesterday's rally also called for Canadian troops to be pulled out of Afghanistan. Protesters expressed fear that Canadian foreign policy is moving in lockstep with the U.S. -- without any debate. "Mr. Harper is doing George W. Bush-style surprise visits to Afghanistan following Gen. (Rick) Hillier's visit to Afghanistan. I see a real concern with our government moving toward a more war-like stance," said Len Bush, holding a banner reading "Stop Security Trials." Bush, 45, was among many supporters of Ottawa's Mohamed Harkat at the rally. Accused of being a terrorist, Harkat, an Algerian national, has been held on a security certificate for more than three years with no charges. SEE 'DESTRUCTION'

Issam Alsamak, marching with his wife and 11/2-year-old daughter, said war was the wrong way to bring democracy to countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. "People there don't see the democracy of the United States or the good things. They see the bullets and the destruction it is causing." Alsamak said he felt it was important for Canada to uphold its reputation as a peacekeeping country to prevent it from becoming a target for extremists. Ottawa police reported no problems at the peaceful protest. Copyright © 2006, Canoe Inc. All rights reserved.